The Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government and President of Ghana, Nana Akuffo-Addo has lamented increased cases of terrorism activities in the West Africa sub-region, while calling on West African leaders to put in more efforts towards eradicating it.
Akuffo-Addo who stated this during the opening ceremony of the 2021 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja also stressed that despite best efforts in dealing with the menace by the ECOWAS leaders, there were persistent attempts to destabilise several countries of the ECOWAS community ranging from attacks on state symbols, to civilian populations and military bases as has been the case recently in Niger, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.
He maintained that peace and security, as well as safeguarding the democratic institutions of member states, were currently a major challenge for the region.
“We cannot sufficiently reiterate the importance of peace and stability to the growth and development of our region. It is important that we consolidate our efforts in rooting out terrorism and threats of terrorism in West Africa,” Akuffo-Addo said.
Akuffo-Addo further said apart from the people of the region living in constant fear of uncertainty, the region cannot expect to attract the requisite levels of investment should the state of insecurity persist.
He added that the ECOWAS region must take more rigorous actions in coordinating measures to ensure terrorism was brought to an end in the region.
Akuffo-Addo also said the region must in the same vein, pay equal attention to bringing an end to insecurity in the maritime space in the Gulf of Guinea which is today, the greatest hotbed of piracy in the entire world.
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“This is not a reputation we deserve. And we must work together urgently to change the narrative,” Akuffo-Addo added.
Akuffo-Addo also said it was well acknowledged that Africa is a blessed continent, adding that the West African region in particular is one of the major reservoirs of the richest natural resources in the world.
He however said the pre-conditions for the development of the resources of the continent were peace and security and those of democracy and good governance.
Akuffo-Addo added that it was of paramount importance that the parliamentarians endeavour to undertake programmes and activities that will help curb the scourge of terrorism, insurgency, banditry and piracy.
“The community expects you to use your relations to help attain the desire results,” the Ghanaian President further said.
